Some of our residents received a very different form of animal therapy – the creepy crawly variety.
Lilibet Manor Care Home was visited by Zoo Lab, a company which brings exotic animals to residential care settings, schools, hospices, and prisons.
Residents got to look at, hold and touch (if they opted to) some weird and wonderful creatures, including a Giant African Land Snail, a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach, a Horn Snake, and a Tarantula.
Zoo Lab ‘Presenters’ are all Dementia Friends trained so that meant all our residents could be involved in what was a very enjoyable event.
Lilibet Manor Manager Shaun Morrissy said: “Each resident was given the opportunity to look at, touch and hold the animals while the presenters spent time talking about each one
“Some could not wait to touch the animals whilst others were happy just to look, and staff were definitely in this latter group!
“It was a great, stimulating activity for the residents.”
As well as bringing back happy memories of previous pets or animal-related experiences in places like zoos, animal therapy can have positive effects on unlocking memories for people with Dementia/Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimers.net, an online community which supports people affected by Alzheimer’s, said about animal therapy: “While companionship is an obvious benefit, a well-timed animal visit may also help with anxiety and depression. It is not uncommon to watch someone transition from emotionless to joyful when an animal enters the room.
